Stack N Stabb | 3 Floyds Brewing Co.

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Poured from the bottle into a tulip/snifter hybrid glass. The nose was pleasant, with a hint of the spicy Belgian yeast and a ton of banana. Surprisingly this one had a rather light-ish mouthfeel. It had some Brett-like almost sour qualities, moderate sweetness, with noticeable lemon/orange peel in the background. Some alcohol hung around in the after taste, but only a bit. I expected more hop character from a FFF'S brew, but this one lacked any noticeable hop presence, that could be due to the style though. I've had this on tap at the brew pub and I feel that's where it's best enjoyed. From the bottle this was very "meh" for me.

TASTE: The taste follows the aroma, with the white pepper emerging as the most odd note here, bringing this almost into saison territory when coupled with the earthy biscuity Belgian yeast notes (especially clove and allspice). The hop profile is fairly restrained for a pale ale (Belgian or otherwise), but I do like the pleasant melange of floral hops, hints of citrus, and faint tropical fruits. Pale malts lend it some needed sweetness.

I'd like fresher bursts of juicy fruit, or at least just a more pronounced expressive hop profile. The emphasis is too much on the Belgian (faux-Belgian?) aspect of the flavour profile, throwing off the balance. It's a decent build for the style, though.

TEXTURE: Rather dry for a pale ale, and a bit coarse as well. Well-carbonated and medium-bodied, with a bit of a rough dragging presence on the palate. Crisp.

Not oily, gushed, hot, boozy, astringent, harsh, rough, or scratchy.

This mouthfeel doesn't elevate the beer, but it suits it decently well. The white pepper and Belgian yeast are accentuated by (or perhaps effect) the coarseness and dryness.

OVERALL: Drinkable and enjoyable for the style, but it's worse than expected; Three Floyds has developed a reputation for excellence, but very few beers I try from them seem to deliver. This is merely above average. Would be fairer priced in 6 pack format, but even then I wouldn't trifle with it again. The discerning drinker will be unimpressed.

Impressions of first few sips: You ever been drinking a good Belgian Strong and thought to yourself "gee , this would be better if it was infused with fruity smelling candle wax?" No? Well I haven't either.

Impressions of sips after the first few: eh, it grows on you. The fruit starts to taste more like fruit and less like chemical imitations of fruit. Still, the spice profile ain't very good, and there's no malt or anything to help balance it out.